Here is an excellent video illustrating the transformation of communication that Social Media has brought us. Its power to reach billions instantly is only one of the advantages. If your business does not learn to leverage it, your competitors will use social media marketing against you. Check out the video by Socialnomics…

There are literally dozens of tools out there right now that say you can manage social media marketing campaigns (and get good analytics) but for everyday people and small businesses I say use HootSuite. Unfortunately though, my Android and Ipad Apps for HootSuite still seem to be a bit behind TweetDeck, but I am still testing.

Also, dont just take my word for it. Try some of the top social media marketing and management tools and let me know what you think;

Both are definitely worth reading if you are in the space and I am sure to be referring to both several times myself. As you can clearly see in this chart created with data from Compete that social networks are excellent drivers of traffic. A fact that must scare the hell out of Google (GOOG).

I’m not one to mince words, so I tell my clients that social media connects a brand with its customers in new ways which will definitely facilitate sales if the brand is good. But on top of that, all is fair in love, war and business so when new weaponry emerges you must get acquainted with it before your competitors leverage it against you.